Posted on 05/13/2008 5:29:47 AM PDT by Red Badger
We recently reported on the unfortunate demise of the Bajaj 3-wheeler from the American market due to slow sales. Happily, a new brand of funky 3-wheelers is set to make its debut in the U.S. by way of Thailand. Tuk Tuk North America (TTNA) reports that its vehicles are currently undergoing EPA and NHTSA testing for road-use approval, though its line of trikes is reportedly already for sale for off-road use. Available in a number of passenger, cargo and truck body styles, the Tuk Tuk comes equipped with either a 200cc or 650cc version of a newly-designed, liquid-cooled four-stroke powerplant. This replaces the original two-stroker from which the vehicle received its funny-sounding name. TTNA also reports that its vehicles are available with both automatic and manual transmissions. Interestingly, the options page of the TTNA site shows an LPG kit which would convert the engine to run on dual fuels -- both liquefied petroleum and gasoline.
Funky. Perfect adjective.
Potential killer. There is a reason why three-wheeler vehicles never became especially popular anywhere in the world, except as a very low-end entry vehicle.
Less stable than 4-wheeled vehicles, and with some rather evil handling characteristics. Unable to lean into a corner like a motorcycle, or some high-tech three-wheeled vehicles that lean along with the steer, they tend to top-heaviness, and are limited to slower speeds under all conditions. There may be times when this is not a disadvantage, but the obvious advantage of reduced cost of engineering and manufacture are totally defeated by the problems both in steering and braking.
Two front wheel and single rear wheel, with the payload carried on the FRONT axle?
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/superbike/yamaha-tesseract-hybrid-motorcycle-for-superheroesbadassesusno-307966.php
We already have four wheel vehicles used for off-road. Without government meddling, they could be converted for street, even highway use.
Motorcycles don’t have all the safety gear of cars, thank God, but they do an excellent job and are fun.
Some people just don’t want a truly economical 3 or 4 wheel vehicle on the road.
First Ta Ta, now Tuk Tuk.......
Or the new Curly model...Yuk Yuk!
I saw a guy on a recumbent bike with 2 in the front, one in the back. He was sitting in a left turn lane directly across the intersection from me. The whole rig was very low to the ground. Moments later, a big F250 pulled up behind him in the same left turn lane. I expect he'll get squashed one day if he doesn't do something like adding a fiberglass mast with a flag so people can see him more easily.
Awesome!....L.O.L.!
I think this would be the rage with the young crowd in Sun City or Leisure World.
I had a 125 Suzuki enduro that would max 75, it got to 60 quickly(< 10 seconds). My 650 Nighthawk would do in excess of 115, shifting out of 3rd at around 80mph after about 6 seconds. I certainly had enough power to whatever I needed. I took it on many 4+ hour runs without any issues.
Great.
We are the most advanced country in the world.
We have billions of barrels of oil.
We put men on the moon and rovers on mars.
But with these third world bikes we are going backwards.
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On the radio this morning, and within a 20 minute period, we were advised to use less electricity, use less water, curtail our driving etc etc.
Can't imagine what it's going to be like in 20 years.
Man how things have changed. I once rode from Denver to St. Louis on a Honda Twinstar 185. Today, my 1250cc scoot is considered on the tiny side. I still wouldn’t hesitate to take a 500cc or larger cross country, but I’ve been riding for 39 of my 44 years, so I have a different perspective.
LOL!!!.......
We'll just call you "Iron Butt"!........
The only way to travel!!
Hogwash.
Personally, I find even 750cc too small, and wouldn't consider traveling on a modern highway with less than a liter.
Are you sure that's enough? I think Triumph has a 2300 bike out now. Nah you're right, I think you should wait for a 3 liter.
It’s a golf cart!
Em’s some crazy Tatas
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